- #31
JohnDubYa
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Yes, that was a Helluva democracy Saddam Hussein gifted to the people of Iraq.
Latest Gallup Poll on public trust in the media
- Context: News
- Thread starter Tigers2B1
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Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around a recent Gallup poll indicating a significant decline in public trust in the media, reaching its lowest level in 30 years. Participants explore the implications of this decline, potential causes, and the broader context of media credibility, including specific incidents like the CBS News controversy and perceptions of media bias. The conversation touches on themes of skepticism towards media reporting and the influence of political narratives.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants note the Gallup poll results show only 44% of Americans express confidence in media accuracy, a drop from 54% the previous year, suggesting a significant shift in public perception.
- Others argue that skepticism towards media has always existed, questioning the reliability of news sources and suggesting that media narratives are often influenced by contributors' biases.
- A participant expresses optimism that the decline in trust may lead to a more inquisitive public that seeks out their own truths, though another counters this by suggesting it may lead to increased consumption of entertainment over news.
- Some participants highlight specific examples of perceived media bias, such as the coverage of political figures and events, arguing that certain narratives favor particular political agendas.
- There is a discussion about historical events, such as Watergate, as potential influences on public trust in media, with one participant recalling their personal experience during that time.
- A participant proposes two categories for understanding the decline in media trust: a growing popular skepticism towards media and a general increase in empirical skepticism among the public.
- Concerns are raised about the methods used by reporters and the potential for biased reporting, with examples provided of how facts can be manipulated or presented in misleading ways.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the causes and implications of declining trust in media, with no clear consensus on whether this trend is primarily due to increased skepticism, specific media incidents, or broader societal changes. Multiple competing perspectives on media bias and credibility remain unresolved.
Contextual Notes
The discussion reflects a variety of assumptions about media influence, the role of political narratives, and the historical context of public trust in media, with participants drawing on personal experiences and anecdotal evidence to support their claims.
Who May Find This Useful
This discussion may be of interest to those exploring media studies, public opinion research, political communication, and the dynamics of trust in information sources.
Yes, that was a Helluva democracy Saddam Hussein gifted to the people of Iraq.
- #32
Outcast
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The Russians tried for 10 years to force Communism on the Afghans and that didn’t work. I wonder how long we will try to force Democracy on Iraq?
- #33
russ_watters
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The phrase "force democracy" is an oxymoron.Outcast said: